The ongoing opioid crisis has led to more Californian state officials and healthcare leaders promoting MAT, or medication assisted treatment. While research has shown that MAT increases positive outcomes for those living with substance use disorder (SUD), it comes with its own barriers. MAT combines the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to … Read more
CalAIM, California’s multi-year initiative to transform Medi-Cal, has already met numerous key milestones regarding program implementation, which early data shows to have improved stabilization among enrollees. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) feels prepared to implement more going into the summer. The purpose of CalAIM is to transform Medi-Cal into a more coordinated, person-centered, … Read more
While many states continue to prepare for Medicaid redeterminations, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) estimates that two to three million Medi-Cal beneficiaries may lose their coverage during the state’s 14-month eligibility redetermination period. To assist Californians with enrollment assistance, DHCS has awarded $59.8 million to 23 county agencies and 12 community-based organizations … Read more
Today California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that it will disperse $18 million in grants to assist students who are 18 years and older with gaining hands-on experience in behavioral health careers through the Mentored Internship Program. The department also awarded over $4 million to 54 driving under the influence (DUI) programs to … Read more
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California’s $297 billion 2023-2024 budget proposal on January 10th, which is a notably lower amount than California’s budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year of $308 billion due to budget cuts Newsom made to make up for the state’s deficit. The budget includes a $230.5 billion investment for the Health and Human … Read more
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), a long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal, has seen promising data results for its Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports (CS) benefits. Early DHCS data shows that initial enrollment in ECM and CS were primarily from members who were transitioning from the Whole Person Care (WPC) pilot … Read more
On January 1st, California’s Cal MediConnect plans for dually eligible individuals transitioned to newly created Medicare Medi-Cal Plans. Known as Medi-Medi Plans or MMPs, these plans are provided by the same insurance carriers as Cal Medi-Connect and offer the same healthcare benefits. The matching plans are designed to coordinate care for people with both Medicare … Read more
California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) was joined by five commercial managed care plans (MCPs) on December 30th to announce new contract agreements concerning the provision of Medi-Cal managed care. The new contracts start in January of 2024 and will span across 21 counties. DHCS experienced backlash from several health plans over the initial … Read more
CalAIM’s Population Health Management (PHM) program is slated to launch in January 2023. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) says the program will be a statewide approach that ensures Medi-Cal members lead “longer, healthier, and happier lives, improved health outcomes, and health equity.” The PHM program will be focused around proactively assessing … Read more
On Nov. 3rd, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced Pear Therapeutics, Inc. will be the incentive manager vendor for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) contingency management benefit, or the Recovery Incentives Program. Through the program, eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries struggling with stimulant use will participate in a structured 24-week … Read more